The year 2014 happened to be the turning point in Feliciano Lopez’s long career. The 33-year-old southpaw broke into the top-15 and managed wins over top players like Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic.
The icing on the cake came during the Shanghai Masters, where the Spaniard defeated Rafael Nadal before losing in the semifinals to Gilles Simon.
At the press conference on Tuesday, the Aircel Chennai Open’s second seed said: “I will be satisfied if I am in the top 15 again. I just want to continue playing the same way: aggressive, serve and volley a lot. This is the way I have to play, that way I can be stronger.”
Excerpts
On his fitness
At my age it is quite difficult to recover after long matches. Your muscles become sore and stiff. Over the last four or five years, I’ve realised that spending a year to take care of the fitness part is worth it.
Then I can still challenge the next generation guys.
On off-season training
One of the toughest things for a tennis player is that. Sometimes you go to the gym, and you don’t feel like doing things. But you have to do it to challenge the youngsters. You have to push yourself.
On holding on to his ranking
I have been told that it’s very difficult to get to the top, but most difficult to be there for a long time. I am proud that I have had a long career. First, you aim to be in the top-100, then the top-50, and the top 20.
On playing with the Indian players during the CTL
I think, for them it was great opportunity to be part of the league. When you are young and want to be a professional tennis player, it is good to share some time, practice with the top players, live with them for a while.
It was very nice to see the young Indians. And one of them was Ramkumar (Ramanathan). He can be a great player for he has the energy and the drive.
If he continues working like that he can be a good player.
On the dearth of serve-and-volleyers in the modern game
I think, in the last 15-20 years, the courts have become slower, so that makes some players stay back.
In my case, I am comfortable playing closer to the net as my serve is my best and strongest weapon.
I think certain things you have to do on grass. But you can see how players win Wimbledon playing from the baseline these days.
This is because of the balls and courts.
Unless they make the courts a little bit faster, and make the balls lighter, there is little chance that serve-and-volley will make a comeback.
In my opinion, they have to do something. It’s nice to see all kinds of players. It’s great for the fans, too.
On his Davis Cup triumphs
I was dreaming (of playing the Davis Cup) when I young. It is a great honour to represent your country.
I was very lucky that I was playing in such a great generation of players.
Twenty years ago, we were reared on clay only. We have improved our game on hard courts and grass courts too. This is something we have really improved; to be successful in away Cup matches.
If I have to choose one match in my life, I’ll take the one we played (away) against Argentina in 2008.
It was a carnival atmosphere, such a great memory.
